THE number of people on the Covid-19 unemployment payment has fallen below half a million as retail workers make up the biggest portion of those returning to work. There are now 498,700 people on the pandemic payment, down 18,900 on the 517,600 who were paid last week. Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, said the numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment continue to gradually decline, with the total now dropping below the 500,000 mark. Last week, 33,000 people closed their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment of which 27,600 reported that they were returning to work. Of those 27,600 returning to work, approximately 21,900 are receiving their last payment this week.

Source: Irish Independent June 15, 2020 11:03 UTC